I Corinthians 15:1-20
In a churchyard in England, stands one of the largest trees in the country. Its stands as a great four-trunked tree growing out of grave. Its presence there has given rise to much speculation. The grave from which this mammoth tree grows from is that of Lady Anne Grimston.
Lady Anne Grimston did not believe in life after death. It is reported that when she lay dying in her luxurious home, she remarked to a friend, “I shall live again as surely as a tree will grow from my body.” At her death, Lady Anne was buried in a marble tomb. The grave was then marked by a large marble slab and surrounded by an iron railing.
Years later, the marble slab was found to be moved a little. Then after time, it was cracked and through the crack a small tree began to grow. The tree continued its growth, tilting the marble stone and breaking the marble until today it has surrounded the tomb with its roots and has torn the railing out of the ground with its massive trunks.
To the unbeliever, this may be only viewed as a coincidence. However, to the believer, it is viewed as providence. God took her up on her challenge.
I Corinthians 15 is known as the great resurrection chapter. The whole structure of Christianity rest on the foundation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A DEAD CHRIST IS A DISAPPOINTING CHRIST. What Jesus Christ did on the cross only has significance because He did not stay in the tomb!
I. The PROMINENCE of the resurrection (1-4)
There is not a gospel without the resurrection. Without the resurrection the good news of the gospel would be bad news. Christ arose is the victory of the gospel. The resurrection of Jesus Christ presents man with eternal salvation. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Let us note four things about this salvation that has its foundation on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
A. His death was actual - “Christ died”
We are not saved by the declarations of Christ, but by His death.
B. His death was sacrificial - “for our sins”
He suffered as our substitute (Romans 5:8.).
C. His death was scriptural - “according to the scriptures”
His death was a pre-determined and pre-written event. It was not
an afterthought but a forethought.
The resurrection was God’s receipt for Calvary. The empty tomb is the receipt of Calvary. Jesus died to pay our debt of sin. The claims were fully met, and the resurrection is the proof. His resurrection becomes the historical proof and testimony of the acceptance and sufficiency of His sacrificial death. The power of Christ’s death to take away sin is conditioned in the New Testament with the fact of the His resurrection.
Christ died - that’s the gospel history.
Christ died for our sins - that’s the gospel mystery.
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures - that’s the gospel boundary
Christ arose - that’s the gospel victory.
II. The EVIDENCE for the resurrection (5-11)
It has been said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best proven fact in history, that there is more documentary evidence for the resurrection of Christ than for the conquest of Britain by Julius Caesar. “He was seen” states Paul four times in four verses. These numerous witnesses could not have all been guilty of an hallucination. Furthermore, what these people saw was under all sorts of conditions. Some saw Him in a garden, others in a room, others on a road, others by the sea, and others on a mountain top. Some saw Him at the dawn, others during the light of day, and yet others, at night. This diversity of circumstances and conditions puts the reality of the resurrection beyond successful argumentation.
A. He was seen by His FRIENDS (5)
B. He was seen by His FAITHFUL (6)
C. He was seen by His FAMILY (7a)
James who was ordinally a skeptic was a powerful and convincing witness to the resurrection of Jesus.
D. He was seen by His FOLLOWERS (7b)
Over a period of forty days between His resurrection and His ascension, Jesus appeared to all the apostles on other times that are not specified (John 21:14).
E. He was seen by His FOE (8-11)
Paul was once the bitterest enemy of both Christ and His church. However, on the road to Damascus, Paul met the resurrected Lord. Then and there Paul was instantly transformed, and he became one of the mightiest preachers of the resurrection.
The resurrection is more than a fact. It is a force; but the reality of the force lies in the reality of the fact.
The resurrection was that which turned cowards followers of a crucified rabbi into the courageous witnesses and martyrs. You could imprison them, beat them, kill them, but you could not make them deny their conviction that on the third day He arose.
The empty tomb was contrary to the precaution of foes, and contrary to the expectation of friends.
THE EVIDENCE IS INDISPUTABLE
III. The CONSEQUENCE of the resurrection (12-20)
What would be the result if there were no resurrection. Evidently some doubted the resurrection. As a result, Paul acquaints them of the result IF there were no resurrection.
A. If THERE IS NO RESURRECTION, the believer’s DECLARATION of Christ is worthless (12-16)
Preaching and preachers are false if there is no resureection.
1. The message has lost content if there is no resurrection
The good news has become bad news without the resurrection.
2. The messenger has lost credibility if there is no resurrection.
B. IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION the believer’s DEPENDENCE on Christ is valueless (17)
If there is no bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are in trouble!
1. Redemption is vain - “faith is vain”
2. Remission is void “yet in your sins”
There is no redeemed life in us unless there is a risen life.
C. IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION the believer’s DEDICATION to Christ is meaningless (18,19)
If Christ be not risen from the dead, believers are to be pitied because we have believed for nothing, lived for nothing, and died for nothing.
1. The heart we have devoted to Christ is deceived.
All our suffering is senseless if Christ be not raised. If there is no resurrection, Christianity is pointless and pitiable. It is to have suffered, sacrificed, and labored for nothing.
2. The hope we have deliberated on in Christ is a dream.
The hope of a home without sin, sickness, suffering, and sorrow, is nothing more than a fantasy if there is no resurrection.
Conclusion:
The GRIEVOUS THOUGHT - “if Christ be not risen”
Faith is a farce (17a)
Forgiveness is a fallacy (17b)
Faithfulness is a folly (18)
Future is a forfeit (19)
The GLORIOUS TRIUMPH - “But now Christ is risen”
Faith is forceful.
Forgiveness is bountiful.
Faithfulness is dutiful.
Future is beautiful.
Yours because HIS
Bro. Jimmy Chapman